kept him busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept him busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or task that occupied someone's time or attention. Example: "The project was so demanding that it kept him busy for weeks on end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

After reading it carefully, I realized that I knew almost everything in it except for one huge thing: how hard his work — his "business," as one might say, for it surely kept him "busy" — had been for a number of years in middle age.

The New York Times

Networking kept him busy day and night.

The Economist

Other projects also kept him busy.

The New York Times - Books

This kept him busy 24 hours a day.

Independent

Jawad Mhawi, a sheik of the family's tribe, said the family kept him busy.

The New York Times

The engine work has kept him busy the last couple of months.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

He says running the city is just a project, something to keep him busy now that he has turned his wine business over to his three children.

The New York Times

That will keep him busy enough.

The Economist

The NGO Forum keeps him busy.

The New York Times

Hockey keeps him busy, too.

The New Yorker

Just something to keep him busy".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept him busy" to clearly convey that someone's time was occupied with tasks or activities. It's a straightforward way to indicate a state of engagement or lack of free time.

Common error

While "kept him busy" is active, avoid overuse of passive constructions like "he was kept busy by…". Opt for direct, active phrasing for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept him busy" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something or someone caused a male individual to be occupied or engaged in activities. As supported by Ludwig, it is a clear and direct way to express that someone's time and attention were consumed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept him busy" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone being occupied with activities or tasks. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is mostly used in News & Media contexts. Related phrases include "occupied his time" and "engaged his attention". While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overusing passive constructions for clarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, emphasizing its reliability and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied his time

Focuses on the aspect of filling time with activities.

engaged his attention

Emphasizes the mental focus and involvement in activities.

filled his days

Highlights the daily routine being full of tasks.

preoccupied him

Suggests that his mind was largely taken up by certain matters.

had him working

Directly indicates involvement in work-related activities.

absorbed his energy

Highlights that the activities consumed his effort and enthusiasm.

consumed his time

Similar to occupied his time, but perhaps with a stronger sense of totality.

gave him plenty to do

Indicates that there were numerous tasks available.

necessitated his attention

Implies the tasks demanded focus and couldn't be ignored.

commanded his focus

Suggests a high degree of required concentration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "kept him busy" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "occupied his time", "engaged his attention", or "consumed his working hours". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What does it mean when someone says "kept him busy"?

When someone says "kept him busy", it implies that the person was engaged in activities or tasks that consumed their time and attention, leaving them with little or no free time. It indicates a state of being occupied.

Is it correct to say "kept her busy" instead of "kept him busy"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "kept her busy" is grammatically correct and functions the same way as "kept him busy", but refers to a female subject. The choice depends on the gender of the person you are describing.

What are some activities that might have "kept him busy"?

Many activities can keep someone busy, such as "work", "studies", "hobbies", or "family responsibilities". The specific activity depends on the context, but the phrase implies that the person's time was consumed by something.